Kimberley Barber

YOUNG volunteers that will give their time to sit in the first peer court in Hampshire have been honoured at a graduation ceremony.

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes presented the group of 16 young volunteers with awards of achievement at a ceremony at Hampshire Constabulary’s Support and Training Headquarters in Netley.

The volunteers, between the ages of 14 and 24, have completed two months of training to gain the skills to become judges, advocates or members of the peer jury at Hampshire Community Court.

As part of their role, they will be dealing with young first time offenders of low level crime.

The three-year pilot scheme is the brainchild of Fareham PC Mark Walsh. He said: ‘I genuinely believe that young people can be the solution to a lot of problems in our society if only they are given the right support and opportunities.’